Seelbach: Mounted patrol funding saved

Community TV on brink of cuts

While many things in the city of Cincinnati's budget could be cut to fill a $34 million deficit, one councilman says the police department's mounted patrol won't be one of them.

Councilman Chris Seelbach said he has the support of seven of nine City Council members to provide full funding for the patrol.

"We're actually taking the cost down," Seelbach said. "We found a way to bring the cost from (about) $180,000 to $105,000."

Mayor Mark Mallory had previously passed along City Manager Milton Dohoney's budget proposal, which called for the reassignment of mounted patrol officers to other duties.

Police Chief James Craig has previously called the horse patrol a luxury the city can no longer afford. Proponents note that if the patrol were to be cut, it would be much more expensive to restart in the future.

But Seelbach said the department has found a less expensive place to feed and board the animals, and some off-duty police work at banks and groceries will help fund the patrol.

Officials cited the opening this spring of the Horseshoe Casino as a factor, with the mounted patrol being seen as key to managing large crowds and events.